A city of western Belgium west-northwest of Brussels. Founded in the seventh century, it was a medieval wool-producing center and remained virtually independent until its capture by the Hapsburgs in 1584. Population: 235,000.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2007. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
